A comparison of crystallinity of calculi by X-ray diffraction line broadening analysis for bilateral and concurrent submandibular sialolithiasis.

Crystallinities of six salivary stones obtained from patients with bilateral submandibular sialolithiasis were compared using X-ray diffraction. 1) The main component of all the stones was hydroxyl apatite. 2) The diffraction patterns were different for each case. Two cases had the same pattern bilaterally. According to Kita's categorization, three of the salivary stones were type A, two were type B and one was type C. 3) The half widths of the peaks increased from type A to type B to type C. 4) Comparison of the differences in the stones to the clinical findings demonstrated excellent crystallinity in the globular calculi.